It’s no secret that I’m not exactly excelling in the height department. Growing up, I was always one of the shortest (if not the shortest) person in my class and we knew early on I was probably never going to have some crazy growth spurt. It’s like in 7th grade I hit 5 feet tall and God said “Welp, I think this is good enough for Lauren” (ha!) and lets just say I haven’t grown since.

So although he made me tiny, he gave me rather long legs for my petite frame. Which thank goodness for because I have zero torso! Since I am all legs and no torso, I have really had to learn to dress for my frame and when dresses like this one cross my path, it makes my job so much easier.

This dress is hands down my most favorite item in my closet right now. I wore it recently to a Neiman Marcus event and I honestly cannot describe how great I felt in it. I think my only complaint is that it is one of those dresses that no matter how many time you steam it, it always looks a little wrinkled. Which honestly doesn’t bother me that much. If anything it makes my life a little bit easier lol. It’s just so light weight and incredible flattering, I mean the perfect spring dress! It’s from Shein, which I understand some of you are skeptical on because of their too good to be true prices, but I promise you, I have loved every single item I have ever gotten from them. Hands down my favorite store for affordable, trendy, seasonal pieces, just likethis dress!

Any who, I hope you all had a marvelous weekend! This was our first weekend like home –home in a long time and we fully embraced it. Saturday, I went to 8:30 spin, had a spa day with my Mom and planted flowers on our porch. Then Sunday we had brunch with our sweet friends and went apartment hunting all afternoon. Our lease is up in May and we are very perplexed as to what we are going to do. The good news is that we should be home for the next few weeks and will have time to figure it out hopefully!

My goodness it feels good to be back. We had an absolutely incredible time in New York but there is nothing better than coming home after being away for a long period of time. Originally, we were supposed to come home on Sunday, but….. Saturday morning, after my birthday, I became incredibly ill. At first, we thought it was nothing more than feeling the effects of too many martinis from the night before (it was my birthday!), but as the day went on, we realized that it wasn’t a hang over at all and that it was actually food poisoning. Which I hate to say because we LOVED the restaurant we went too.

Anyways, after being sick all morning (tmi?), around 11:00, Colton took me to a clinic that hooked me up to a IV and gave me a ton of nausea medicine. By 2:00 I was finally feeling like myself! Which I am so thankful for because at one point we didn’t know if I would be able to leave the hotel all day. None-the-less, even though we had Saturday afternoon, we still felt like we missed a huge chunk of time and decided to stay an extra night!

Besides the getting sick part (ha!) NYC was a dream. I hadn’t been in a few years and this was Colton’s first time. The energy in New York is like nothing else. There is just something always going on and it’s incredibly exhilarating. I’ll do a whole recap sometime this week!

These photos were taken in Central Park on my birthday, after brunch and I was so excited to see the snow hadn’t quite melted yet! I mean, it was technically more like ice…. but still! It was the closest thing I had seen to snow all year. Since the temperatures have been so warm in Houston, in my mind it’s definitely spring time. I’ve been bringing out my spring clothes a little bit earlier than usual and have been swapping out my darker shades for more neutral tones. Even though the temperature in New York was way chillier than in Houston, I still kept the same spring like mentality. The combination of white, tan, and pink is perfect for this transitioning season.

Any who, this week we are taking it pretty chill. Actually, now that I think about it, things should be pretty relaxed around here for awhile. Maybe I will actually be able to start getting things done for the wedding. You know like, finally getting our Save the Dates out. Lets just say its been a work in progress lol.

Not only is today Friday, but it is also my 25th Birthday. And let me tell you, I have never had more mixed emotions about a birthday in my entire life. Maybe it’s the fact that 25 makes me a quarter of a century old and that I am no longer counted as being in my “early twenties”. Maybe it’s that I am getting kicked off my mothers insurance in less than a year or maybe it’s even the fact that I will be married in less than 8 months.

I remember talking to my friend Haley around this time last year, and we decided that 25 was going to be our year. That being 25 was going to be the best year yet. Since then, I have kept this mind set all year long, leading up to this birthday, literally until like two days ago. Out of no where, I got scared. I got scared because I realized that 25 is when things start to change.

Before I get into the rest of this (sorry if this is already turning into a long post!), let me explain something real fast. I’m a little bit dramatic in all situations. I wear my heart right on my sleeve and almost everything in life gives me major feels. So it’s no wonder, that I am making turning 25 into a way bigger deal than it really is.

As strange as I feel about this birthday, I can’t help but look back at my past birthdays and be proud of the person I have turned out to be today. That I have made it perfectly fine through all of my past mile stones, and that this one really will be one of the best yet. So in honor of all of that, I am going to share 10 things that give me comfort, about turning 25. I thought about doing 25 things, but that just seemed really long lol, so you’re welcome 🙂

I am more sure of myself and who I am right now, than I ever have been in my life.

I feel the most grounded in my relationship with Colton, than I think we ever have been.

For the first time in my life, I have an idea of my career path. I know what I want and I see my end goal.

The friends that are in my life are here for a reason, and the ones that are not, are not in my life for a reason as well.

I finally do not have a problem saying “no”. Well, kind of, this one is a work in progress.

I will be marrying Colton and starting my life with him. This is definitely my most exciting and scary step! Not only are we getting married, but we are getting married in the most amazing place.

At 23, I took a leap of faith and started this blog. Who knows what I will do at 25.

I’m praying that I will finally start to feel like an adult. Whatever that’s supposed to feel like -lol.

As bummed as I am about not being in my early 20’s, now that I am 25, I really hope I will start getting taken more seriously. There is nothing worse that someone in their thirties asking you your age, then looking at you like your an infant once you’ve told them.

I have a lifetime of milestones to look forward too. That in the long scheme of life, 25 is a teeny-tiny hump that I will surpass and flourish from like I have the rest 🙂

Any who, as you guys know Colton and I are in New York to celebrate this birthday of mine! For some reason, this year, I just really wanted to get away! You know, instead of doing the normal hoopla, the only thing I really wanted to do was to take a trip with him.

Be sure to follow along on Snapchat and Insta stories! I’ll be documenting as much as my phone allows me-lol. I’m currently having the “you don’t have enough space issue”.

Happy Valentine’s Everyone! I hope that today you are all celebrating the day of love in itself. Whether you’re showering your significant other with love, your sister, your best friend, your parents or yourself. Use today to show everyone in your life love, because we all need a little lovin. In honor of Valentine’s Day though, I thought it would be fun to share 4 things Colton and I love about each other. Last year, we did a Valetine’s Day Q&Aand you guys loved it so I wanted to bring him back this year as well!

This year, we are taking Valentine’s Day very easy. We’re staying at home, cooking dinner together and probably sharing a bottle of wine. No TV, no phones and no computer. Just music and conversation 🙂

About Colton

The way he always tickles me. I’m obnoxiously ticklish and like, even the thought of someone tickling me makes me squirm. He thinks it’s absolutely hilarious-lol. Whether I am really upset or just playing around, it always puts me in the best mood.

Colton is very smart & very athletic. Like I don’t know how to explain it, but he is definitely kind of nerdy, and at the same time just a natural athlete. I’ve never seen him be bad at something. He just picks up everything so easily. Growing up, I really had to try in school and I was the opposite of being athletic so this is something I have just always admired about him.

His love for Bentley.I know that may sound weird, but you have to understand, Bentley is literally like our child. I got Bentley six months before Colton and I started dating, and I think apart of me was always worried that Colton wouldn’t love Bentley the way I do. Luckily, that’s not the case at all. When I say Colton loves Bentley, he LOVES Bentley. They have these cuddle sessions every morning, which actually kind of annoys me because I am not included, but nonetheless, it’s still really sweet to watch. He is constantly working with him on new tricks and the moment Bentley even the least bit looks sick, Colton has a heart attack. I think the reason I love this so much about him, is because it kind of gives me a glimpse of the kind of Dad he will be one day.

His random acts of kindness. Colton is unexpectedly, very thoughtful. I mean, these are not overboard gestures, but he just does little things for others that I think we all sometimes forget to do. For example, he is really good about calling friends he hasn’t talked to in awhile. Just to catch up and see how they’re doing. He always opens the car door not only for myself, but all women. No matter what, every single night, he brings me water and puts it next to my bed side table and if he picks up the groceries and notices we don’t have flowers, he always picks some up because he know’s that’s what I would do. They’re just things he doesn’t have to do, but always does.

About Lauren

Her Type A Personality. Whether it is being on time wherever we go, making the bed every morning, or looking her best, she keeps our lives in order. She makes me want to get out of bed in the morning and put my best foot forward. Her promptness and attention to detail is something I have always really loved about her because it is a trait I do not posses. Lets just say that if it wasn’t for Lauren, we would never make it to a flight 2 hours early.

Lauren’s confidence in me. For some reason she has the most confidence in me. She is always pushing me and knows I can achieve more. She constantly wants the best for me and reassures me that I can achieve whatever I want in this life. She’s without a doubt, my number one fan.

The way she ‘snorts’ when something is really really funny. When she thinks something is hysterical, she will work herself up into a laughing frenzy and forgets to breath a little bit. When she starts trying to breath, she kind of makes a snorting sound… then she gets even more embarrassed, still trying to breathe, and then lets out another. It turns into an endless cycle. It is one of the cutest things, and she can’t control it once they start.

Lauren lives life to the fullest. She is always wanting to make a memory and she LIVES for experiences. She wants to see everything, do everything, and experience everything this world has to offer. I always know that the next great adventure is around the corner. She also makes me appreciate the little things. I love this most about her because she constantly reminds me to pick my head up and appreciate this great world God has given to us.